Chris Brown no 'monster'

The 20-year-old singer - who has pleaded not guilty to assaulting his on/off girlfriend Rihanna - has released a video thanking fans for their support and insisting many of the rumours circulating about him are untrue.

In the excerpt, posted on video sharing site YouTube, Chris says: "I just wanna say, 'What up?' because I ain't been out there in a minute. New album will be coming soon. We're working on it right now. Called 'Graffiti'. Got everything on it, know what I'm saying? I'll be ready for that. I'm about to drop a single this summer for y'all. So we ain't going nowhere.

"Everybody that's haters, they just been haters. All my real fans, I love you all. I ain't a monster."

Chris has been charged with felony assault and making criminal threats in relation to allegations he bit, choked and punched Rihanna in February.

A court hearing relating to the case is due to take place today (28.05.09) although Chris is not expected to attend.

Meanwhile, Chris is being sued by a man who claims he was assaulted by one of the singer's security team at a Los Angeles fitness club last March.

Photographer Robert Rosen - who is a member of the gym - alleges the bodyguard chased him after he took a photograph of Chris while the star was playing basketball.

Rosen claims an employee at the fitness club blocked his exit, but he managed to escape. He then fell down a flight of stairs, after which he alleges the bodyguard "picked him up by his shorts, and physically assaulted him".

He is suing Chris and the gym for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment.

Chris' lawyer Mark Geragos said: "This is a specious and frivolous lawsuit by one of the paparazzi seeking publicity and a payday. He's done this before and lost. We will vigorously defend against this."